On May 5, hundreds of demonstrators assembled at DeWitt Clinton Park in Hell’s Kitchen to rail against President Donald Trump’s policies, including his stance on immigration and efforts to repeal Obamacare.

A couple of originals.

Led by the Working Families Party, the rally featured a series of speeches by activists, prior to the crowd marching several blocks south towards the U.S.S. Intrepid, where Trump was to speak that evening.

One by one, speakers remarked that although Trump may be from New York City, he does not represent their values.

“New York City is the epitome of what is good about the world — people of all faiths, all ethnicities, all races, genders, sexual orientations living in one place with no space or place for hate,” said Public Advocate Letitia James.

“So much is at stake, because together we shoulder the responsibility of defending our democracy,” she said. “We shoulder the burden of defending our Constitution.”

“I know that the resistance is working,” said Jennifer Epps-Addison, Co-Director of the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD), who noted that Trump’s immigration-related executive orders have been blocked in court, and Republicans failed in their initial attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “It’s our duty to fight for our freedom, and it’s our duty to win.”

Paola Mendoza, Artistic Director of the National Women’s March, said the response of advocates to Trump’s presidency has been direct and unequivocal.

“Two months after the election, millions of people stood up and said ‘No,’” Mendoza said.

“If you do not hear our voice, you will hear our vote,” she stated.

In calling on activists to vote for progressive leaders, James knocked elements of her own party.

“It’s time that we defeat this administration, that we defeat this administration at the ballot box by voting into office progressive Democrats,” stated James. “Not weak-kneed Democrats, but Democrats with steel in their spine and fire in their bellies and justice in their souls.”

Calling for a clean-up.

The rally drew a large contingent of military veterans, including representatives of Common Defense, an organization of U.S. veterans who advocate against discrimination.

Pam Campos-Palma, Executive Director of Common Defense, said that Trump does not represent what service members stand for. The Political Action Committee seeks to mobilize a national movement of veterans and military families in civic engagement and action.

“The man in our White House does not know service,” said Campos-Palma, the daughter of Honduran immigrants and an Iraq War veteran. “He does not serve us. He is a threat to our values, our freedoms and our communities. As veterans and military families, we took an oath to serve and protect all Americans, all people in our country.”

The raucous crowd, many clad in costumes, was comprised of people of all ages and various ethnicities. The group banged pots and drums, chanted and sang as it made its way closer to the Intrepid.

“I thought it was important to come out and give Mr. Trump an authentic New York greeting, and let him know how we all feel about his policies, his values, his actions, his behavior, everything,” said Gabrielle, a Queens resident.

“I think it’s very important to be here because we need to provide models for political engagement other than the electoral system,” remarked activist Henry González, who said he hoped rallygoers would take the time to join grassroots political organizations and advocacy groups.

“Millions of people stood up and said ‘No,’” said Paola Mendoza.

“I think we need to expand people’s political imagination, and help them understand what is possible in terms of building political powers in communities,” he stated.

“When someone tries to deny the Constitution, that’s just not going to happen,” said Steven McCasker, who said he was protesting Trump’s executive order giving religious organizations freedom to take a stand on political issues. “Nobody’s going to tell me how I should live my life.”

McCasker said that taking part in protests and rallies gave many advocates a sense of comfort in a turbulent political environment – and drew a unique parallel.

He noted, “It sort of starts to feel like your therapy after a little while.”